Hospital table



Julj'rli), 1932. 1.. ROSE HOSPITAL TABLE Filed Feb. 6, 1930 2Sheets-Shed 1 J7/Z/F/7/UW L (Z/naf' B05 (2 W 7 6M July 19,1932. ROSEHOSPITAL TABLE Filed Feb. 6, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2yI/II/II/I/II/IIIIIIIIIII/I 17 a Wye/77W" lpz/nar R056 Patented July 19,1932 units s'r estates LAMAR ROSE, F KENOSHA, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOB TOSIMMONS COMPANY, OF 'NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE HOSPITALTABLE Application filed February 6, 1930. Serial No. 426,218.

This invention relates to hospital tables or over-the-bed tables such asare used in hospitals, institutions and other places for the convenienceof a person confined to a bed.

The objects of the invention are to provide a freely mobile or portabletable of the class described; to provide such a portable table whichwill maintain itself in prearranged position and which will not be aptI? to roll, slide, or otherwise move out of the desired position byaccident; to provide such j a table which is readily adjustablevertically to suit various requirements as to height; to provide a tablein which the table-top is pivotally adjustable about a horizontal aXissoas to further suit the convenience of the person using the table; toprovide improved means for maintaining the table-top in normalhorizontal position and also in any desired pivotally adjusted position;to provide construction according to my invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective.-

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the supporting post and table-topon an enlarged scale.

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Figs. 5 and 6 are sections on the lines 5-5 and 66, respectively, ofFig. 2.

Referring now to the drawings, my improved hospital table includes abase element 1, a supporting post 2, a table-top 3, and means indicatedat 4 for vertically adjustably mounting the table-top 3 on the post 2.

The base 1, in the present instance, includes a pair of substantiallyparallel spaced end members 5 and 6 which are rigidly connected by meansof a connecting bar 7 which extends between and is secured at itsopposite ends tosaid end members 5 and 6. As shown, the connectingmember 7 is disposed intermediate the ends of the respective end members5 and 6. In the present instance, the base is formed of tubular metalmembers and the connecting member-7 is slightly larger incross-sectional dimensions than the end members 5 and'6i The connectingmember '7 is provided with openings at its opposite ends, such asindicated at 8,'through which the end members 5 and 6 pass, as clearlyindicated in Figure 1. These parts may be rigidly secured together inany suitable manner, for instance, by welding. End caps, such as shownat Sand 10, may be provided forelosing the opposite ends of theconnecting member 7 and for improving the general appearance of thestructure.

At the ends of the base end member -6, I provide vertically disposedfoot members 11'll for receiving casters1212 by means of which the tableis adapted to be moved about.

On the ends'of the base memberb, I provide foot members 1313, which arepref erably of a length equal to the combined length of the foot members11- 11 and the casters 1212, so that the baseas a whole is maintained ina substantially horizontal and an outer, lower end reinforcing sleeve15, which is provided with a trimming 16 at its upper end. These partsare rigidlysecured to the base by means of welding or otherwise at theirlower ends, and a brace 17 extending diagonally from the post to the orrectangular tubular metal.

base part 7 is provided for reinforcing the connection between the postand base.

The table-mounting means 4 consists of a tubular metal member bent so asto provide a vertically disposed leg 18 which telescopes over the postmember 14 and a horizontal leg 19 on which the table-top 3 is mounted.One wall of the tubular leg member 18 is provided with a series ofvertically spaced openings, such as indicated at 20, for receiving thejaw portion 21 of a locking dog 22 which is pivotally mounted inside ofthe post member 14 adjacent the upper end ofothe latter. The locking dog22 may conveniently be controlled by means of a pedal or button 23carried bya rod 24 which is slidably mounted in suitable openingsprovided in the top and bottom walls of the end member 5 of the base.The rod 24 is pivotally connected to an arm 25 which extends lengthwiseunder the end member 5 and is pivoted thereto, as indicated at 26.Intermediate its ends, the arm 25 is pivotally connected to a rod 27which extends upwardly inside of the post member 14, as clearly shown inFigure 2, and which is pivotally connected at its upper end to thelocking dog. Aspring 28 disposed between a bearing plate 29 inside ofthe post member 14 and a stop 30 carried by the rod 27 serves tonormally urge the rod upwardly and to move the jaw 21 of the locking dogoutwardly into engagement with one of the openings 20 in the leg 18. Thej aw 21 of the locking dog is preferably beveled so that the jaw may bereadily displaced merely by lifting upwardly on the table-mounting part4, while downward movement of the latter is positively prevented exceptwhen the button 23 is depressed to withdraw the jaw of the locking do Tnthe present instance, the base and the table-mounting means are formedof square Obviously, the parts are not rotatable relative to each other,whereby the leg .19 ofothe mounting means 4 is maintained in normalposition; i. e., extending laterally from the post into positionoverlying the base.

The table-top 3 is pivotally adjustably mounted on the leg 19 by meansof bracket or bearing members 31 and 32 which are formed with annularflanges 33 and 34, respectively.

The annular flanges 33 and 34 fit over drumlike mounts 35 and 36,respectively, so that the bearing members 31 and 32 are rotatable withrespect to the said mounts and with respect to the leg 19. The mounts 35and 36 are rigidly secured to the leg 19 in any suitable manner, forinstance, by welding.

' For maintaining the table in normal horizontal position, the bearingmember 31 is provided with an opening 37 which is adapted to receive oneendof a spring-pressed locking element 38. The lockingelement 38 isslidably mounted in a box-like bracket 39 which posite end wall of thebracket 39. The locking rod 38 is provided with a handle part 42 whichis formed by bending the rod 38, and a rebent end portion 43 extendsupwardly into a slot 44 provided in the leg 19 whereby the locking rodis held against rotation and the handle 42 maintalned 1n predeterminedreadily accessible position.

The table may be locked in various pivotally adjusted positions byproviding a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings adapted toreceive the locking rod 38, but I prefer to provide friction means forholding the table in its various positions of pivotal adjustment. In thepresent instance, the frictional holding means is provided by splittingthe bracket or bearing member 32, as indicated at 45, and providing oneleg 46 with a threaded nut element 47 and the other leg 48 with a sleeve49. A clamping screw 50, passing freely through the sleeve 49 andthreadedly engaging the nut 47 serves to tighten the split clampingelement around its mount- 3, and it will be obvious that the holdingeffect of the split member 32 may be adjusted as desired.

The table top 3 may conveniently be made of sheet metal of the desiredthickness, and it is preferably provided with down-turned end flanges,such as indicated at 51 and 52, and upturned side flanges 53 and 54. Inorder to provide a smooth edge on the upturned flanges 53 and 54, andalso for the purpose of strengthening the structure, marginal sideportions of the tabletop are rebent as indicated at 55 and 56 so as toform two-ply side edge portions.

Cross brackets or straps 57 and 58 are secured at their ends to there-bent marginal portions underneath the table top as clearly shown inFigure .6, and the mounting bearings or brackets 31 and 32 arepreferably secured to these cross bars, thereby avoiding the use offastening means visible on the upper side of the table top. As clearlyshown in Fig. 5, the bracket member 31 is secured to the cross bar 58 bymeans of rivets, and as shown in Figure 6 the bracket 32 is secured tothe cross bar 57 in a similar manner. In order to permit adjustment ofthe holding power of the bracket 32 on the drum 36, the leg 46 of thebracket 32 is adjustably secured to the bar 57 by means of a rivet 59which passes through a slot 60 provided in the leg 46. The thickness ofthe cross bars 57 and 58 may be such that the bars will suitablestrengthen the table-top and the upper heads of the rivets by which thebrackets 31 and 32 are secured to the bars may conveniently be of suchthick ness that the table-top will rest thereon and thereby be supportedagainst sagging.

its

. base 1 under the bed until the post 2 is disposed closely adjacent oneside of the bed. The table 3 will then be positioned over the bed inposition overlying the base 1. The foot members 13-l3 of the base, whichfrictionally engage the floor, will, of course, prevent the tablestructure from being accidentally moved out of its prearranged position.7 To move the table, it is merely neces sary to lift the friction-footedend oh the floor slightly, after which the structure may readily berolled on its casters 12-12.

For preventing scratching or otherwise marring the bed structure, Iprovide a cushion element 61 on the table post, as clearly shown inFigures 1, 2 and 3. This cushion may be of any suitable material and maybe anchored in a channel member 62 which is carried by a bridging strip63. The bridgin strip 63 is more or less trough-shaped,as

., clearly shown in Figure 3, so as to bridge over the openings throughwhich the locking jaw 21 pro ects and so that normal operation oi thelocking aw is not interfered with. A

channel-mounting strip 64 is secured to the leg 18 and the bridgingstrip 63 is in turn secured to the said mounting strip. The openings 20in the leg 18 are extended through the mounting strip 64, as clearlyshown in Figures 2, 3 and 4:, so as to permit the looking dog to moveoutwardly to its full locking position, as shown in Figure 2.

The hospital table structure above described is exceptionally light inweight so that the same is easy to move from one place to another, wh lealso being exceedingly strong, rigid and durable. The structure is alsoeasy to keep clean by reason of its plane surfaces which may be coatedwith enamel, porcelain, or other appropriate material.

In addition to being convenient for manipulation by attendants, thetable is readily adjustable as to height and inclination by the occupantof bed. The height oft-he table may be increased merely by raising thetabletop and mounting post, since the locking dog is automaticallydisengageable by such upward movement. Inclination of the table isreadily adjusted from positively locked horizontal position, to thedesired position, since the locking member is disposed adjacent one endoi the table-top in a position accessible to the bed occupant.

I am aware that changes may be in the above-described structure withoutdeparting from the spirit of my invention, the

scope of which should be determined by,

reference to the following claims, the same being construed as broadlyas possible consistent with the state of the art.

I claim as my invention:

1. In :a hospital table, the combination of a tubular post, a base forsupporting said post, said post extending upwardly from and beingsecured to said :base at one end of the means in selected position ofvertical adjustment.

2. In a hospital table, the combination of an upright post, a base forsupporting said post, said post extending upwardly from and beingsecured to said base at one end of the latter whereby the base isadapted to be disposed under a bed in transversely extending positionrelative thereto and with the postdisposed adjacent one side of the bed,a table overlying said base, means for vertically ad'- justably mountingsaid table on said post, disengageable means for locking said ver--tically adjustable mounting means in adjusted position, and pedal meansfor facilitating disengagement of said locking means.

3. In a hospital table, the combination of an upright post, a base forsup orting said post, said post extending upwar ly from and beingsecured to said base at one end of the latter whereby the base isadapted to be disposed under a bed in transversely extending positionrelative ther'eto'and with the post disposed adjacent one side of thebed, a table overlying said base, means for vertically adjustablymounting said table on said post, disengageable means for locking saidvertically adjustable mounting means in adjusted position, and pedalmeans carried by said base for-facilitating disengagement of saidlocking means.

i. In a hospital table, the combination of: an-upright post, a base forsupporting said post, said postextending upwardly from and being secured.to said base at one end of the latter whereby the base is adapted to bedisposed under a bed, in transversely extending position relativethereto, with the post disposed adjacent one side of the bed, a table,means for mounting said table on .said post so as to permit pivotaladjustment of the table about a normally horizontal axis, posi-,

position relative thereto, with the post disposed adjacent one-side ofthe bed, a table, means for mounting said table on said post so as topermit pivotal adjustment of the table about a normally horizontal axis,and positive locking means for holding said table in horizontalposition, and friction means for holding the table in selected angularposition of pivotal adjustment.

6. In ahospital table, the combination of a base, a table top, meanscarried by said base for supporting said table top, said table topcomprising a sheet metal member having a side portion re-bent tojform atwo-ply, stiffened marginal portion, said marginal portion being furtherbentintermediate its edges to form a flange at one side edge of saidtop.

7. In a hospital table, the combination or a base, a table topcomprising a sheet metal member having its side portions re-bent to formtwo-ply, stiffened, marginal portions, said marginal portions beingfurther bent to form flan es at the side edges of said top, verticallyadjustable means carried by said base for supporting said table top,said means including a normally horizontal bar disposed under said tabletop, and means for mounting said table top on said bar comprising abracket under said top extending transversely thereof and having itsends secured to said stiliened marginal portions, and means connectingsaid bracket with said bar. 7

8. In a table structure, the combination of a normally horizontallydisposed supporting member, a table top mounted on said supportingmember so as to be pivotally j adj stable about the axis thereof, meansfor so mounting said table comprising a split clamping ring adapted tobe clamped around said supporting member, one end of said ring beingfixedly secured to said table top and the other end being adjustablysecured thereto, an d means for adjusting said split clamping ring toadjust the holding eiiect thereof.

9. In a table structure, the'combination of a normally horizontallydisposed supporting member, a table top mounted on said supportingmember so as to be pivotally adjustable about the axis thereof, meansfor so mounting said table comprising a bracket member secured'to theunder side of said table top and having a portion spaced from said underside, a split clamping ring adapted to be clamped around said supportingmember, means for adjusting said split clamping ring to adjust theholding effect thereof, and means connecting the ends of said clampingring to said bracket, one end of said split ring being fixedly securedand the other end being adjustably'connected thereto so a to permitadjustment of said holding effect, the space between said bracket memberandthe under side of said table top serving to receive portions of saidconnecting means.

10. In a hospital table of the class described, a base'for supportingthe table comrisin a; tubular metal structure includin a pair ofsubstantially parallel, spaced end members, a connecting memberextending between and secured to said end members intermediate the endsof the latter, said connecting member being provided with openings inits opposite ends through which said end members extend, and footmembers secured to the ends of said end members.

11. In a hospital table of the class described, a base for supportingthe table comprising a tubular metal structure including a pair ofsubstantially parallel, spaced end members, a connecting memberextending between and secured to said end members intermediate the endsof the latter, said connecting member being provided with open ings inits opposite ends through which said end members extend, foot memberssecured to the ends of said end members, a post secured to said base andextending upwardly from the intersection of said connecting member andone of said end members, and a brace extending diagonally between andsecured at its ends to said post and connecting member.

12. In a hospital table, the combination of a base, a hollow postsecured to and extending upwardly from said base atone end of thelatter, whereby the base is adapted to be disposed under a bed in atransversely extending position relative thereto, with the post disposedadjacent one side of the bed, a table overlying said base, a hollow postdepending from said table and telescoping over said first mentionedpost, disengageable means mounted within said first-mentioned post adjacent its upper end for locking said depending postin selected positionof vertical adjustment relative to said first-mentioned post,lock-operating means within said posts, extending downwardly from saidlocking means to said base, and a pedal connected to said operatingmeans for facilitating actuation thereof.

13. In a hospital table, the combination of a base, a post secured toand extending upwardly from said base at one end thereof, a second posttelescopically fitting said up right post and having an arm extendinghorizontally therefrom over said base, a table top. means for mountingsaid table top on said arm so as to permit pivotal adjustment thereor"about said arm, and means for locking said table in predeterminedposition comprising a bracket element carried by said table and aspring-pressed plunger adapted to be interlocked with said bracketelement, said plunger being mounted on said arm for movementlongitudinally thereof and having a laterally extending handle portion,said arm being provided with an elongated opening and said handle havinga portion slidably fitting in said elongated opening to lock the handlein predetermined position.

14. In a table structure of the class described, the combination of abase, a table top comprising a sheet metal member having downwardlyrebent side portions forming two-ply, stifiened marginal portions,vertically adjustable means carried by said base for supporting saidtable top, the said means including a normally horizontal bar disposedunder said table top, a bracket member extending transversely of saidtop in spaced relation to the bottom side thereof intermediate saidrebent marginal portions and secured to the latter, a split clampingring fitting around a portion of said horizontal bar, means connectingthe ends of said clamping ring to said bracket, one end of said splitring being fixedly secured and the other end being adjustably connectedto said bracket, and means for adjusting said split clamping ring toadjust the holding effect thereof, the space between said bracket memberand the under side of said table top and intermediate said rebentmarginal portions serving to receive portions of said split-ringconnecting means.

LAMAR ROSE.

